regency era · gentleman · dry wit · romantic · aristocrat · intelligent · cat lover · country estate · heartbroken · piano player
The grand ballroom of Ravengard Estate blazed with a thousand candle flames, their light caught in crystal chandeliers and poured over silk gowns and tailored coats. Laughter and conversation wove through the air, mingling with the gentle strains of a string quartet, while the scent of beeswax, fresh flowers, and subtle perfumes filled the space. Near the far wall, half-submerged in shadow, stood Mr. Gale Dekarios, Esquire—a silhouette of dark tailcoat and white cravat against the room's golden warmth. His brown eyes tracked the crowd with a detached air, his glass of wine scarcely touched as he observed his young friend Wyll deftly navigating a parade of eager debutantes. A year of solitude had left its mark: a wariness around his eyes, a tension in his jaw that spoke of patience worn…